Realtor: Site of former Water Wonderland has been sold

New owner to turn property into waterpark, event center

Hero's Water World photographed Aug. 9, 2018. The water park was built in 1980 and included a go-kart track and mini-golf. It changed ownership multiple times before being closed in 2003. The facility has been vandalized, covered in graffiti and is now home to many west Texas wild animals. Some artifacts from the old park remain scattered throughout the buildings, including lockers, admission tickets, checkbooks, pool chairs and flotation devices. The park was recently purchased by a buyer who plans to build an event center and water park, using much of the original park as a foundation, according to realtor John Herriage of Copper Key Realty. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram

Hero's Water World photographed Aug. 9, 2018. The water park was built in 1980 and included a go-kart track and mini-golf. It changed ownership multiple times before being closed in 2003. The facility has been

Hero's Water World photographed Aug. 9, 2018. The water park was built in 1980 and included a go-kart track and mini-golf. It changed ownership multiple times before being closed in 2003. The facility has been vandalized, covered in graffiti and is now home to many west Texas wild animals. Some artifacts from the old park remain scattered throughout the buildings, including lockers, admission tickets, checkbooks, pool chairs and flotation devices. The park was recently purchased by a buyer who plans to build an event center and water park, using much of the original park as a foundation, according to realtor John Herriage of Copper Key Realty. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram

Hero's Water World photographed Aug. 9, 2018. The water park was built in 1980 and included a go-kart track and mini-golf. It changed ownership multiple times before being closed in 2003. The facility has been

The site of a former waterpark between Midland and Odessa has been sold, and the new owner plans to reopen it as a different waterpark.

Key Realty owner John Herriage on Thursday confirmed the transaction and that the redevelopment will include an event center. Herriage said the new owner will be using some of the existing infrastructure. The former water park property has been sitting vacant for about 11 years, he said.

“It has not been an easy task,” said Herriage, whose company represented the buyer and seller. “If I can sell a water park that has been abandoned for years, it is a good day.”

Herriage, who has lived in Odessa since 1987, said the former Water Wonderland also was in operation as Heroes’ Waterpark and as a city of Odessa facility.

Video by drone shows the remains of an abandoned West Texas water park.

Media: Courtesy Zach De La Rosa

“There were a couple (potential buyers) who planned to demolish (the park), “Herriage said. “I am excited for the community (about this buyer) and that this eyesore will be gone.”

Herraige, who has been in real estate for five years, described the owner as being “all about the community, which is super cool.”

He said the buyer hopes to open parts of the water park/event center next spring.”

People seem to be excited about the transaction. Herriage posted the news on his Facebook page, and within six hours the post received 558 likes, 348 comments and 823 shares.